BY MEGHAN VANCE • August 5, 2024

If you’ve already started researching instruments, you may have noticed there are a lot of terms. Piano, MIDI, stage keyboard, digital piano, synth, grand piano, upright piano, portable, arranger…. The list can seem exhausting. Some instruments you’ll find are really only toys, some are designed for composers and producers, some are designed for recording studios, and some are designed for concert halls. How do you know what to buy? Let’s look at 5 key factors that should be considered leading up to your purchase:

KEY 1: WEIGHTED KEYS

The main feature to look for is weighted keys that will provide resistance to your touch. Acoustic instruments have weighted keys. Digital instrument keys can range from no resistance (like a computer typing) to a resistance that mimics an acoustic piano. If you want to learn to play the piano, you need weighted keys to acquire finger strength and good technique. Different brands have different terms to describe weighted keys, such as “hammer action.”

KEY 2: ACOUSTIC VERSUS DIGITAL

Piano and keyboard instruments fall into two categories: acoustic and digital. Acoustic pianos create sound by hammers hitting strings, while digital pianos (I’m sure you’ve guessed) create sound digitally. Both can be of good or poor quality. When deciding between them, ask 5 questions (and read placement and maintenance further below):

1. Do you want to practice without bothering others in your house or apartment block? Buy a digital instrument compatible with headphones.
2. Do you want to be able to move your instrument? Buy a digital instrument. If you plan to take it to gigs, look for one that sits on a detachable stand.
3. Do you want to compose music on your instrument? Buy a digital instrument with a MIDI port.
4. Do you want an authentic historic piano sound and touch? Buy an acoustic instrument. As great as digital pianos have become, there’s still nothing quite like the original.
5. How much money do you want to spend? Here you’ll have to do some research. A new digital instrument will be dramatically cheaper than a new acoustic one, but used acoustic instruments can sometimes be found for free, other than moving costs.

KEY 3: ACCESSORIES

Consistently practicing at the wrong height can result in permanent injuries or diseases (such as carpal tunnel syndrome). For this reason, a piano bench is necessary for pianos and keyboards. If you purchase a digital instrument that comes without a built-in stand, purchase an adjustable-height stand for your instrument. Digital instruments should have two inputs (or jacks) for pedals: a sustain pedal and a soft pedal; these pedals often must be purchased separately from the instrument. Most digital instruments with weighted keys have built-in speakers, but some require the use of an amp, much like electric guitars. A headphone jack and built-in metronome are both helpful.

KEY 4: WHERE TO BUY

If you’re buying a new instrument, purchase one from a reputable dealer. The Piano Technician’s Guild states that “new pianos usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty,” used pianos “usually come with a dealer warranty,” and both often come with complimentary moving. Two well-respected digital brands are Yamaha and Roland. If possible, ask the dealer to demonstrate several instruments by playing the same music on each, so you can hear the differences in tone.

If you choose to buy a used digital keyboard, look up the brand and model number to determine its quality and to ensure it has weighted keys. Try before you buy: test every piano key and button. Since new digital keyboards are reasonably priced, don’t risk purchasing a used one unless the cost is extremely low. If you’re buying a used acoustic instrument from a private seller, pay a piano tuner or piano technician to accompany you. These experts will look inside the piano to determine if it needs cost-prohibitive repairs. They can also determine if the instrument has suffered damage from pests like moths: “…moths will happily destroy the felt on your piano’s hammers and eat your other natural fabrics,” states moth-prevention.com.

KEY 5: PLACEMENT & MAINTENANCE

Yes, this is something you should consider before buying. Digital instruments, even highly-transportable ones, are generally designed to be stored horizontally. Acoustic instruments should be placed away from damp, drafts, areas of the home with drastic temperature changes, and exterior walls. “…thanks to factors such as temperature, humidity, age, and frequent or hard playing, every one of them needs regular tuning and upkeep. A single home piano might need to be tuned once or twice per year…” writes Berklee Music. Acoustic instruments can be heavy enough to settle your house.